REGULAR MINUTES
PERE MARQUETTE EPOT
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
7:00 p.m.
A meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan was convened in open and public session at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2020.
Mayor Miller gave the Invocation and led with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The City Clerk took the roll call:
Members present: Mike Scheid, Jorel Davis, Bruce Meyers, Doug Feehan and Brad Miller
Members absent: None
Approval of Agenda
There were no amendments to the Agenda. Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - all.
Consent Agenda
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 73541 to 73632 in the amount of $182,764.91.
Approve Chemical Bank Checks 7448 to 7462 in the amount of $80,317.32.
B. Approve Minutes: Regular scheduled meeting, January 21, 2020
C. Special Event Application - Holly Noble
D. Special Event Application - Jenny Bennett
Moved by Scheid supported by Feehan to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - all.
Reports by Council Liaisons
Meyers reported that the Housing Commission will meet on February 20th and the Rec Board will meet next month.
Feehan stated that he attended the Museum Board meeting. They discussed their budget and guest speakers for 2020. Maintenance and snow removal were discussed. City Manager Niemela stated that if DPW were to clear snow on the weekends at the Bel that it would constitute overtime pay.
Mayor Miller reported that he attended the Library Board Meeting on January 27th where they elected new officers. Additionally they are looking into stacked seating and shelving. They also reviewed the 2020 meeting schedule, the employee handbook and donations. Mayor Miller stated that Jill Mason attended the meeting who talked about Friends of the Library. The Library had many good events this past year and all of their bills are paid.
New Business
A. Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to bring the Second Reading - Ordinance #452-A-24 before the Council for Adoption. Niemela discussed the Ordinance in brief. Ordinance passed by the following roll call vote: Yes - all. The Ordinance is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF BELDING MICIDGAN, INCORPORATED IN THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BELDING (BELDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 452) BY SECTION 3.2, OF THE BELDING CITY CODE.
THE CITY OF BELDING
ORDAINS
The property rezoned from OS-1 (Office/Personal Service District) to R-2 (Single• Family Residential District) is legally described as:
CITY OF BELDING SUPERVISOR MOON'S PLAT, PART OF LOT 183 COM AT THE SE COR OF LOT 183 THEN E 44.94 FT ALONG THE S LINE OF LOT 183, THEN N 65.18FT, THEN E 43.7 FT TO THE E LINE OF LOT 183 THEN, S 65.9 FT ALONG SAID E LOT TO POB.
Location: 110 E. Liberty, Belding, Michigan
Parcel: 34-403-180-000-550-07
SECTION 2 All other parts of the zoning map and zoning ordinance are affirmed and shall remain unchanged.
SECTION 3 A copy of this Ordinance shall be filed with the Ionia County Register of Deeds.
SECTION 4 This Ordinance shall be published as provided in the City Charter and shall become effective ten (10) days after publication.
ORDINANCE DECLARED ADOPTED ON FEBRUARY 4, 2020.
B. Bruce Feuerstein summarized the 2019 Museum Activities. 2019 proved to be a very successful year with many visitors, private tours, school tours, special events and new displays. Feuerstein briefly touched on upcoming events for 2020. Feuerstein briefly discussed fundraising and thanked the sponsors. The building structure has constant needs to be met. Feuerstein updated the City Council on some of the upgrades such as new paint and LED bulbs as well as noting that the volunteers keep the displays and garden areas clean and beautiful. The Bel is one of the finest children's museums in the country for a community of this size.
C. Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to discuss Alternate Start Dates for Board of Review. City Manager Niemela advised the City Council that this a routine resolution/annual activity; every year this resolution comes before the Council. The Alternate Board of Review dates are published in advance. The Poverty Exemption will be presented at the next meeting, which is another annual resolution. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: yes- all. The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN TO ADOPT ALTERNATE START DATES FOR MARCH, 2020, JULY, 2020 AND DECEMBER, 2020 BOARD OF REVIEW.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 4th day of February, 2020.
WHEREAS, the adoption of the alternate Board of Review dates as follows is requested, as required per State Tax Commission guidelines:
For the March Board of Review, second meeting in March, can be held either the Tuesday or the Wednesday following the second Monday in March, 2020
For the July Board of Review, an alternate date during the week of the 3"' Monday in July, 2020
For the December Board of review, an alternate date during the week of the 2nd Monday in December, 2020
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan that the listed alternate dates for the Board of Review are hereby adopted.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 4TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2020.
City Manager Comments
Niemela briefly discussed Special Event Applications. In the past we have had Special Event Applications come to the City. The two requests this time did not require any street closures or bleachers, just allowing park use. These groups have been active in the past so that is why they are on the Consent Agenda not the Action Agenda. We are working on streamlining the process.
The Fire Department Report is in the City Council packet. Niemela pointed out a couple of things since Chief Lubick was appointed such as an active major internal project of cleaning the attic and disposing of things. He also reported that we are getting close to moving forward with the acquisition of a UTV. A grant was received from a donor for about $5,000. The fire department is getting ready for spring.
The Fire Department will be coming to City Council for a grant to replace self-contained breathing apparatuses. This is the third try for this grant. The number of apparatuses requested was scaled down to try to be more attractive. This request is joint with Grattan and Cannon Townships.
Mayor Pro Tern Meyers met with the Housing Commission. They discussed winter maintenance of the road and parking areas. They agreed to do the work and bill the Housing Commission. When the Housing Commission gets a new truck maybe the will be able to get a bigger one they can resume the work. Paving of the streets to possibly add blacktop to the road to prevent water in the Belhaven/Woodhaven area was also discussed. The Cooperation Agreement was established in the 1950s; possibly update to current.
Mayor Pro Tern Meyers and City Manager Niemela met with KMI reps. The City filed lawsuit prohibiting production of what caused the problem back in June. The result may lead to a settlement - more information to come.
The Rec Board meet with Williams and Works to assist in identifying projects to our Recreation Plan that have probable DNR funding. Williams and Works will determine what the best projects are for the City to be potentially funded for. A few ideas are to expand the Gathering Place or to rebuild the tennis courts. Immediate priorities versus the entire list of wants will be considered.
Niemela distributed a Staff Report to the City Council Members regarding the electronic sign activity for past 3 months. So far we have had 14 requests for messages to be posted on the sign from 8 different groups. The bulk of the requests were made in the first month. There have been 1-2 since then. There is a request pending from February 2nd. Niemela reported that it is going well. All requests made have been honored.
Davis asked for an update on Rite Aid. Niemela stated they came in yesterday did snow borings on property.
Meyers asked if there is any update on Jaclyn Apartments. Niemela stated that the has not had a conversation with them recently. He apprised the Council Members that they were just awarded tax credits to do improvements.
Council Comments
Davis stated that he liked hearing about the Museum and the good comments about it.
Meyers thanked Bruce (Feuerstein) for his great support and leadership to keep things going at the museum. He also thanked John (Niemela) and the Housing Commission for a productive meeting.
Feehan thanked Bruce (Feuerstein) and the Museum Board for their hard work.
Moved by Scheid, supported by Feehan to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes - all.
| | Brad Miller, Mayor |
| _________________________________________ Janae Cooper, City Clerk | |
Minutes approved on: